Nintendo
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - Is Samus’ return worth the long wait?
We played the new galactic adventure on Nintendo Switch 2: between nostalgia, controversial mechanics, and an impeccable soundtrack.
The world was a very different place in 2007. While many were discovering the first iPhone, Nintendo fans were celebrating the release of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption on Wii. Almost two decades and an entire generation of consoles have passed since this fourth installment, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, was announced. Now, with the game running on the new Nintendo Switch 2, the question we’re all asking ourselves is: Was it worth the wait?
Samus is back, and the essence of the franchise lives on. However, this return is not perfect. The title bears the scars of a very bumpy development process and design decisions that, while attempting to modernize the formula, end up clashing with the franchise’s own identity. Join us as we break down what this new installment has to offer.
What’s new rewarding help and exploration?
One of the most drastic changes is the inclusion of Myles MacKenzie, a sort of supporting character who accompanies us via radio. If you’re a fan of the series, you’ll remember the immersive loneliness of the previous games; here, that feeling is broken. MacKenzie acts as a constant guide, similar to the infamous fairy “Navi” from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, pointing out where to go and how to solve puzzles, sometimes treating you as if it were your first video game, although often when we want to turn to him, he literally does not take our calls.
Although this makes it easier for new players to enter a complex world, it can be annoying for fans. In addition, the game features a semi-open world with a desert area that serves as a connector. Unfortunately, this “hub” feels empty and outdated, reminding us of designs from 15 years ago, and at times it seems to make us go around in unnecessary circles. Exploration here loses its mystery: instead of getting lost in fascinating mazes, you’ll often find yourself following a straight line or returning to base just to activate an upgrade.
How do vehicles and combat work?
In an attempt to bring this desert to life, a futuristic motorcycle was introduced that reminds us a little of the Tron movies. On paper it sounds incredible, but the execution leaves something to be desired. The vehicle’s controls are stiff, the turning is poor, and combat on wheels is reduced to pressing a button without the need to aim to select our targets. Far from feeling the speed and breadth of the combination of the map and the motorcycle, it all feels like a formality to get from point A to point B.
However, ground combat is still king. This is where Metroid Prime 4 Beyond shines. The bosses are spectacular and require you to use your head, not just brute force. You’ll have to learn patterns, dodge, and use your entire arsenal strategically.
What are the game’s strongest points?
Despite being very linear and having excessive help, there are areas where the game shines:
- The soundtrack: Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano deliver one of the best soundtracks of 2025. It is immersive, emotional, and compensates for many of the narrative flaws. In fact, if you connect the system to a good surround sound system, you will enjoy it even more.
- Variety of situations: The game never stands still. You’ll go from shooting to solving puzzles to using the morphosphere (which has great 2D sections) to platforming.
- Boss design: As we mentioned, the main battles are a masterclass in video game design.
- Playing at 120 FPS: Something we really liked is that both the portable version and the deck version allow you to play at high frame rates. On TV, if you have a compatible one, you can play at 1080p at 120 FPS, and in portable mode at 720p at the same rate. The other option is to play in 4K at 60 FPS on TV or in Full HD at the same frame rate.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a good adventure that can last you about 17 hours, and although it’s not the revolution that many expected after such a long wait, it’s still a solid, varied, and visually appealing experience, even if it does often make us go around in circles unnecessarily to lengthen the game.
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